And now our feature presentation: The Gershwins’ “Porgy and Bess” (1959) directed by Otto Preminger (https://youtu.be/W_jPTXFbhjI?si=5iTC9gRXXadFWNBw)
#MusComEnt #BlackHistoryMonth #PorgyAndBess

“Porgy and Bess” (1959) is based on the 1935 opera of the same name by George Gershwin, DuBose Heyward & Ira Gershwin, which in turn based on Heyward's 1925 novel “Porgy” & the 1927 non-musical stage play co-written w/his wife Dorothy
#MusComEnt #BlackHistoryMonth #PorgyAndBess

Despite success on stage, “Porgy and Bess” (1959) was mired in production issues from its inception from one early producer trying secure film rights w/an all white/white passing cast (Fred Astaire, Al Jolson and Rita Hayworth,etc.) in blackface which understandably angered the writers
#MusComEnt #PorgyAndBess #BlackHistoryMonth

Once the rights were secured in the late 1950s, casting proved to be difficult due to the fact tha the subject matter could be interpreted as perpetuating negative stereotypes of Black Americans.
#MusComEnt #BlackHistoryMonth #PorgyAndBess

While Sammy Davis Jr. jumped at the chance to play Sportin’ Life. Leading man Sidney Poitier had to be convinced by friends and management to take the role. Even then, for all of his talents singing wasn’t one of them so he’s dubbed by Robert McFerrin Sr., the first black man to sign a contract with the New York Metropolitan Opera. 
#MusComEnt #PorgyAndBess #SammyDavisJr #SidneyPoitier #RobertMcFerrinSr

For the curious: Yes, Robert McFerrin Sr. is the father of popular singer-songwriter and musicologist Bobby McFerrin!
#MusComEnt #PorgyAndBess #RobertMcFerrinSr #BobbyMcFerrin